Obituary: Barbara S. Mortensen

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The Chronicle Express

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Posted Dec. 29, 2012 at 7:00 PM
Updated Dec 29, 2012 at 7:05 PM

Posted Dec. 29, 2012 at 7:00 PM
Updated Dec 29, 2012 at 7:05 PM

Branchport N.Y. and North Port, Fla.

Barbara S. Mortensen, of Stever Hill Road Branchport, N.Y. and North Port, Fla., took the Lord's loving hand December 22, 2012 to her mansion in heaven to be with the multitude of other angels until we meet again.

Barbara was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. July 30, 1933 to Albert and Mabel Sharman. She attended James Madison High there. She entered Keuka College, Keuka Park, N.Y. in 1951 and met her loving husband of 57 1/2 years in 1952. Barbara graduated with honors in 1955 and was awarded Keuka college's first inspirational award in 2011. Barbara and her husband raised three children of their own and also sheltered and schooled two others. Barbara was asked to join the Hammondsport Central School system March 1 of 1966 where she taught and inspired from her wheelchair until retirement in the summer of 1995. She was afflicted with spinal muscular atrophy at a very young age but carried on an admirable life of hard work and marvelous mastery of all bodily and mind functions she possessed. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Barbara is survived by an adoring, caregiver, husband Karl Mortensen, two sons, James Eric (Laurie) Mortensen of Delmar, N.Y., and David John Mortensen of Branchport, N.Y.; one daughter, Dr. Nancy Mascia (John) of Birmingham, Ala.; five grandchildren, Erie and Brendan Mortensen of Delmar, N.Y., Katie, Chris, and Annie Mascia of Birmingham, Ala.; one brother, Richard Sharman of Penn Yan, N.Y.; one sister, Alison (Fitz) Fitzgerald of Far Rockaway, N.Y.; numerous nieces and nephews, and hundreds of relatives and friends who loved her so much. Barbara passed at home in North Port, Fla. under the loving care of Tidewell Hospice of Sarasota Fla., with her husband at her side.

As Barbara wished, there will be no calling hours, there will be a joyous celebration of her life, the length, the accomplishments, and the never ending love that God allowed her to display to the world, at the convenience of the family in the near future at Living Waters Lutheran Church in North Port, Fla. and around May 1, 2013 at Branchport United Methodist Church in Branchport, N.Y.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Church of the Living Waters, P.O. Box 8064 North Port, FL 34290, or Branchport United Methodist Church, Branchport, NY 14418, or Keuka College, Keuka Park, NY 14478 or to hospice care in whatever area you reside.